Executive Officer / PA – AR

Executive Officer / PA

Location: York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority
Role Type: Temporary / Contract
Department: Executive Support

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Executive Officer / PA to provide high-level executive support to a senior leader within the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

This is a high-profile, externally facing role requiring someone who is confident working in a fast-paced political and public-sector environment. You will act as a key point of contact for senior stakeholders, manage a complex and constantly changing diary, coordinate briefings and meetings, and ensure the senior leader is fully prepared for engagements.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent judgement, discretion and initiative, with the ability to manage sensitive and politically significant matters while responding quickly to changing priorities.

Previous experience supporting a senior leader within a political or public-sector environment is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level executive and administrative support to a senior public-sector leader.
• Manage a complex and continually changing diary, ensuring competing priorities are effectively coordinated.
• Act as a key liaison with MPs, elected members, government departments, businesses, community representatives, Police and Fire, and other senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings, events, public engagements and associated arrangements.
• Prepare and coordinate briefing materials, papers and information to ensure the senior leader is fully prepared.
• Manage sensitive, confidential and politically significant matters with discretion and sound judgement.
• Lead on reactive and urgent issues, responding quickly and effectively to emerging situations.
• Take ownership of actions, correspondence and follow-up activity, ensuring matters are progressed and resolved within appropriate timescales.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Anticipate emerging issues and identify potential operational or reputational risks.
• Escalate issues appropriately and ensure the senior leader is kept informed of key developments.
• Work independently and proactively, using initiative to ensure the effective running of the senior leader’s office.
• Support the senior leader in a highly visible and externally facing environment, representing the office professionally at all times.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Essential: Previous experience supporting a senior leader within a political or public-sector environment.
• Strong understanding of political sensitivities, public accountability and the public-sector environment.
• Proven experience managing complex diaries, competing priorities and demanding workloads.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and external organisations.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong initiative and the confidence to take ownership of issues.
• Excellent judgement and decision-making skills.
• Experience handling sensitive, confidential or high-profile matters.
• Ability to assess and elevate operational or reputational risks appropriately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm, organised and effective in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change at short notice.

Desirable

• Existing Police Vetting would be highly beneficial but is not essential.
• Candidates may be required to undergo Police Vetting if the assignment is extended.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a highly organised and proactive Executive Assistant, Executive PA, Executive Support Officer or similar professional with proven experience supporting senior leaders within local government, central government, a combined authority or another political/public-sector organisation.

You will be comfortable operating in a high-pressure environment, dealing with senior stakeholders and confidential information, managing competing priorities and taking independent action when urgent issues arise.

Above all, you will have the judgement, discretion and political awareness required to provide trusted executive support to a senior public-sector leader.